[Nevermore]

A pellet gun is not a "fake" gun, and is not a toy. It's not a .44 Magnum, but that is beside the point: it is a weapon.
The kids certainly wasn't brandishing it as a "toy", wasn't "playing" with it. Definitely "damned if you do, damned if you don't" for the cops.

[ARealMothersSonForever]

but that is beside the point: it is a weapon.

Odd that bb guns, pellet guns, and even black powder weapons are not considered "deadly weapons". Even nervous ninnies have their moments. Register my bow and crossbow, nitwit.